Devilpups are 6-0

By Chris Miller-Prep Sports Writer

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 10:30 AM.

Not a bad start to the season.

“I think everybody is a year older,” said Popadines, whose previous head coaching experience came six years ago when he coached the Pender High varsity boys’ team. “We started a couple of freshmen last year and now they are sophomores and our older players are seniors. They (seniors) came out with a real positive attitude.”

One of those seniors in particular is guard Chatori Major, who is averaging 22.6 points per game and has been a first-team all-area player by The Daily News the last two seasons.

Major, who recently signed to play at North Carolina-Asheville, opened the season on Nov. 20 by scoring 32 points in a 67-29 win over Coastal Christian.

She also has a pair of 25-point games and two other games where she scored in the low 20s. Major can score many ways as she can drive to the basket and pull up for a perimeter jump shot.

“I think this year Chatori is starting to realize she has a good amount of help that takes a lot of pressure off her,” Popadines said. Last year she felt she had to do a lot, but I think she is a little more at ease because she has girls who can help her out.”

First-year Lejeune girls’ basketball coach Kevin Popadines knew early this season his team has potential.

After looking at a roster filled with several returning players — a luxury Lejeune doesn’t often get — Popadines figured before the season tipped off that his squad had a chance to win many games and contend for a conference title.

“There was definitely a lot of talent with the girls,” he said. “We had high expectations and I had a pretty good feeling about what they could do.”

Last year, Popadines was an assistant coach at Lejeune and helped the Devilpups record one of their best seasons in a long time by going 20-6 overall.

Given most of Lejeune’s key players were more experienced, he realized this year’s Devilpups could do something special on the court.

And so far the team hasn’t disappointed.

Lejeune has won its first six games by an average margin of 36.8 points, including two victories over 2-A Swansboro and an impressive 78-18 win over Pender.

Not a bad start to the season.

“I think everybody is a year older,” said Popadines, whose previous head coaching experience came six years ago when he coached the Pender High varsity boys’ team. “We started a couple of freshmen last year and now they are sophomores and our older players are seniors. They (seniors) came out with a real positive attitude.”

One of those seniors in particular is guard Chatori Major, who is averaging 22.6 points per game and has been a first-team all-area player by The Daily News the last two seasons.

Major, who recently signed to play at North Carolina-Asheville, opened the season on Nov. 20 by scoring 32 points in a 67-29 win over Coastal Christian.

She also has a pair of 25-point games and two other games where she scored in the low 20s. Major can score many ways as she can drive to the basket and pull up for a perimeter jump shot.

“I think this year Chatori is starting to realize she has a good amount of help that takes a lot of pressure off her,” Popadines said. Last year she felt she had to do a lot, but I think she is a little more at ease because she has girls who can help her out.”

The Devilpups have certainly gotten solid play from other positions.

Sophomore Nikia Wallace is a point guard who runs the offense but who can also score to complement Major. Her highest scoring output came when she scored 16 points in a 71-20 win over WilmingtonChristianAcademy on Nov. 27 and on Dec. 4 in a 65-25 triumph over Spring Creek.

“Her confidence is a lot higher than last year,” Popadines said of Wallace. “She is starting to understand everything and she is definitely a lot more aggressive. Her shooting has improved and her ball handling is better.”

But while the Devilpups are talented in the starting five, one concern for Popadines is a lack of depth. Lejeune only has 8 players on the roster and will often bring junior varsity players up for games.

“Injuries and things like that could really hurt us,” Popadines said. “But we are trying to optimistic.”

But Popadines has good reason to feel good about his team, given its early season success.

The Devilpups have been strong thus far and it appears nothing can stop the team as it prepares for next month’s Coastal Plains 1-A Conference schedule. Lejeune, which visits Pender tonight, looks to contend for the league crown against the likes of Southwest and Jones Senior.

“I think it’s a little bit early to tell (how good Lejeune is), but we definitely have high hopes,” Popadines said.